BiG Idea: Attempting to prove ourselves before God leaves us . Philippians 3:1 3 In addition, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a safeguard for you. For believers, joy isn't tied to what happens us, but what happened us Philippians 3:2 2 Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh. Philippians 3:3 3 For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh— We never move past the Gospel; we move deeper into it -lots of people 🙂 Philippians 3:4–6 4 although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; 6 regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless. Philippians 3:7 7 But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. Religion operates on the principle, ‘I obey — therefore I am accepted by God.’ But the operating principle of the gospel is 'I am accepted by God through what Christ has done — therefore I obey. -Tim Keller Challenging Question: Are there things in my life keeping me from going all in with Jesus? The Gospel isn’t an , it’s our . Philippians 3:8–9a 8 More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him… Union with Christ is the central truth of the whole doctrine of salvation… It is not simply a phase of the application of redemption; it underlies every aspect of redemption -John Murray The Gospel isn’t knowing Jesus, it’s about Jesus Matthew 7:21–23 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ 23 Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’,, Challenging Question: Am I content knowing about Jesus or do I truly know Him? Philippians 3:9b-11 9 ...not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith. 10 My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, 11 assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead. It isn’t the of our faith, it’s the of our Savior Philippians 3:8b–9a 8...Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him,... Challenge: Where is God inviting you to let go of self for your joy of knowing Jesus? How will you pursue and point to Jesus this week for His glory not your own? This Week I Will: Pursue Jesus By: Point to Jesus By: Memorize: Philippians 3:7 Next Sunday: Philippians 3